Stringed instrument



Apr 1930- J. E. HILLEBRANDT 1,752,906

STRINGED INSTRUMENT Filed July 21, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY v I April 1930. J. E. HILLEBRANDT 1,752,906

STRINGED INSTRUMENT Filed July 21, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 1, 1930 PATENT QFFlfiE JOHAN EMIL HILLEIBR-ANDT, OF BROOKLYN, NElV YORK STRINGED ElTSTR-UMENT Application filed. July 21,

My invention relates to musical instruments of the plectrum type, such as the mandolin, banjo and guitar.

The object of my invent-ion is to provide 5 an instrument of the plectrum type having a key-board similar to a mandolin, banjo or guitar, and having an amplifying metal body portion or resonator formed substantially as shown in the drawings forming a part of this 10 application.

A further object is to provide the instrument with plates of wood or other suitable material which will rest against the body of the player of the instrument, and also plates 15 which serve as hand and arm rests, said plates also serving to prevent direct contact of the body of the player with the vibrating parts of the instrument.

A further object is to construct and locate 20 the relative parts so that the instrument will not be too long or bulky in appearance, and

may be held on the lap of the player in a convenient position when the instrument is being played upon.

Referring to the drawings which form a part of this specification:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of an instrument embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view of said 111- strument with a base plate held in position thereon.

A indicates the neck and head of the instrument, which is made of wood and is provided with the usual finger-board A having frets A and strings A thereon, the number and arrangement depending on whether the instrument is to be a mandolin, a banjo or a guitar, etc.

A is a tubular metal extension member which is securely fastened to the neck and by screws R.

1922. Serial No. 294,393.

screw elements DD etc. which connect with upwardly extending flanges E, E, formed by urning the edges of the sheet which forms the resonator, upwardly as shown, and extending longitudinally thereof to stiffen the same, and for this purpose I also insert a central strip K, of thicker and stiffer metal, the edges of which are turned upward to form flanges K, and I also may insert a further strip of sheet metal K between each of said flanges to provide a thick stiff composite flange at each side of the strip K.

I prefer to make the body or resonator portion of thin resonant metal such as aluminium alloys, but may use brass or other suitable material.

A bridge-plate F, formed of a flat strip of metal is bent into the form shown, its lower end being firmly secured to the flanges E, respectively, and a bridge G, of metal, is supported thereon. The strings are connected to keys H, at one end and to a tail piece G at the other end in the usual manner. J indicates a metal strip which serves as a brace, being connected to one side of the extension member A and a rod A extends therefrom to an adjacent brace rod C. The resonator is open at its larger end and closed at its smaller end. The neck and its extension member extend over the resonator at an angle thereto as illustrated, so that when held in the lap, the key-board is in a-convenient position for use. A number of thin plates made of wood are supported in spaced relation to the resonator, the bottom or base-plate being indicated by L.

The lower side-plate is indicated by M, and the hand-rest plate by N. The arm-rest plate is indicated by O, and each of the plates is located and held in such a manner as to prevent the hand or body of the player from resting against the resonator. The support ing strips are made of metal bands which are fastened to the respective plates by screws P-P as illustrated in Figure 2. The base-plate L is held in position by a band it, which extends therefrom over the top of the resonator and is secured to the top strip K, A. band S also is connected to a brace-strip S with which is in contact and used to support the arm-rest O in position. The brace-band S is secured at its upper end to the adjacent side of the extension member A as shown at S A braceband T is firmly secured to the under side of the extension member A by screws T, and isv bent to the proper form to support the plates, N and M to which itv is attached, and its ends extend downwardly andare connected by screws (not shown) to the baseplate L.

A brace-band U extends from one side of the extension member under the plate N, and is bent inwardly parallel with its top portion: at its lower end and connected to the baseplate- L, its: top end being connected to the extension member. l/Vhile I haveshown the brace-bands connecting the parts, as. illustratech, I do not wishv to, be limited to the specific construction shown in this respect, as the platesv may be connected togetherand to the resonator and extension member in, any manner'that will hold. them. in proper spaced relation with: the resonator.

I have provided thebase-plate with longitudinally extending ribs V, V, etc. spaced apart as illustrated, which serve to prevent the plate from. shifting or sliding over the clothing of the player, and also serve to stiften. and strengthen theplate, and also. provide the necessary thickness. to hold the screws which connect thebrace-bandsto. the plate. The several plates. are formed; with curvedv edge portions as: shown, so that the instrument. may; bev conveniently held in proper position for playing thereon.

'lilieextension member A isa tube,,preferably formed substantially rectangular in cross section and about one. sixteenth of. an inch. in. thickness, but itmay. bemadein any suitable form, and may; be made of wood if desired.

The large; end of the resonator is provided with a bead X, to stilfenthe end ofthe instrument.

Shortflcrossbraces of-band shaped metal'W, aroused to support the side flanges E, E, re-

spectively, where required.

The instrument hasv a rich sonorous tone and provides a large volume of sound.

Having thus; described. my. invention I claim as new:

1. A stringed musical instrument comprisinga metal resonator closed at one endthereof,- a; neck having a key-board connected theretoadjacent said closed end and extending at an angle tothe median line of'said-resonat'or, and a base-plate held in spaced relation to said resonator.

2. A stringed musical instrument comprising. a metal: resonator closed at one end thereof, a neck having a key-board. connected theretoadjacent Said closed end and extending at an angle tothe medial line of said. resonator, and a hand-rest plate held in spaced relation to said resonator.

3. As stated in claim 2: together with a side-plate held in spaced relation to said resonator.

4. A stringed musical instrument comprising strings and having a metal resonator closed at one end thereof; and having longitudinally extending flanges formed on one side thereof, a neck having a metal extension member connected thereto and extending over said resonator at an angle to the median line thereof and spaced therefrom, and rods extending from. said flanges to said extension member to hold the resonator and extension member together, and a base-plate and a 

